Hammock Android App -- Ideas?

[Axolotl]

So i've been thinking incessantly about my first trip of the season coming up and using my new WB Traveler SL 1.7. While I have been waiting for the weather to warm a bit, I've gotten into developing applications for Android. So to fill the next couple weeks before my first trip I would like to build a little android app for hanging.

One problem i've always had was figuring out how high to hang my straps to get the right angle for the hammock. It usually involves throwing up the straps, adjusting their length, realizing i didnt hang them high enough, moving them up, readjusting their length, repeat, repeat, etc. So, I figured i could build a little app that if i input the distance between the trees and length of ridgeline, it will give me the proper height to hang the straps. In all honesty, i probably don't need to make it, but it seems like building an app will be a good distraction while I wait for camping season to begin. So...

1) Does anyone think this is useful?
2) Is there any other functions/calculators that could be useful in this app? (tweet your location for fun? some knot images? force calculations on the trees/straps?)

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks!

PS: here is the first app i developed (to keep track of your BAC on a night out): https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mootpointhero.bacula

[Syb]

Search dejoha and check out his various illustrations.

[Mancat]

A level would be a good thing to have in a hammock app.

[Knotty]

Here's the link to Dejoha's post about his Hammock Hang Calculator.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ighlight=Angle
His is web based so requires a data connection. Similar info in a free standing app would be cool.

[Rowan65]

How about a search for fabric stores close by? Just in that off chance you rip or tear something on your hammock. haha

[JaxHiker]

Well, I don't know about the usefulness of the app but you had me at Android development.

I just picked up my first Droid yesterday and I'm chomping at the bit to fire up the SDK. Not sure what I'll write yet but I'm sure I'll write something soon.

[NCPatrick]

So let's see. Use case #1

I hike, using my "MyHammockApp"'s GPS until it recommends a location that would be suitable, given the preferences I have previously entered. I come to a stop in that spot.

I check the "Orientation" tab to see from which direction the prevailing winds historically come from in this area (GPS, almanac, weather), according to season and temperature. I see I should set my hammock and tarp up oriented as recommended by the app, with the knowledge that a north-south setup in this particular valley in the breezy early Spring is best... I check the app again for the weather forecast, to reaffirm. I find two trees in the proper orientation. I mark one tree on the app and walk to the other tree. The application tells me that the trees are 12 feet apart. I hang my hammock and tarp according to my weight and the distance and with the proper recommended angles, the application tells me that it's level.

I lay down for a few hours to relax, but something's not right. I'm starting to feel a lot of stress because I haven't been able to so much as look up from this little screen for hours. The application notices my higher blood pressure and rising temperature. It tells me to remain calm, asks me if I'd like to play a game, and begins to play my favorite soothing music (according to my preferences), but I somehow manage to get up and with great effort I ignore its urgent reminders and alerts and warnings and electrical shocks until I barely (barely) make it over to the small stream nearby. With one last great herculean effort I throw the phone like a stone into the stream with all my might. It comes to a rest at the bottom of the stream. It's little lights blinking frantically at the bottom in the near-darkness. I turn and leave.

I am strangely calm. I look up into the clear sky above. I hear the gentle breeze in the trees. I feel it cool on my skin. A coyote yips in the distance, and an owl hoots. The moon is rising, just visible at the horizon.

I feel myself slowly beginning to relax, the stress that has been building inside all day slowly disappears...

Ok, sorry, got a bit carried away there.

[tbctx]

Lol, nice Patrick, but yeah while useful having apps do everything takes alot of the fun/relaxing out of it. My phone is turned off 95% of the time I'm out if its even on me.

[Axolotl]

Well, I don't know about the usefulness of the app but you had me at Android development.

I just picked up my first Droid yesterday and I'm chomping at the bit to fire up the SDK. Not sure what I'll write yet but I'm sure I'll write something soon.

Agreed on the actual usefulness of the app (let alone if i would even think to use it when i start hanging my hammock. Really, I'm just looking for an idea that fits my skill level. Best of luck with your future dev, if you have any questions, PM me and I'll provide any help that i can.

[the_lorax]

A level would be a good thing to have in a hammock app.

Android already has several level apps, for example this one will even give you the angle https://market.android.com/details?i...drogames.level